What happened: José Mourinho said Real Madrid should not compare itself to Barcelona and should stay focused on its own work. He added that praise around Madrid has become harder to hear, while the club keeps working with humility and an awareness of its problems.

Why it matters: The remarks sharpen Mourinho's public stance as Barcelona becomes the reference point around Real Madrid. They also show his return to Real Madrid is being framed around internal fixes rather than external comparisons.

What to watch: Watch Mourinho's next public comments for whether that tone changes as Real Madrid moves through its next run of matches.